Khmer Empire
{"Image DocumentName": "Khmer Empire", "Image ImageDescription": "The main power on the Southeast Asian mainland from 800 to 1300 A.D.; Influenced by Indian and Chinese cultures, the Khmer benefited from improved rice cultivation techniques and elaborate irrigation systems and waterways, making it possible to grow three or four crops of rice a year. In Southeast Asia\u2019s river valleys and deltas and on its islands, many kingdoms had centuries of glory and left monuments of lasting beauty. Southeast Asia lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans and stretches from Asia almost to Australia. It consists of two main parts: (1) Indochina, the mainland peninsula that borders China to the north and India to the west, and (2) the islands, the largest of which include Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. All of Southeast Asia lies within the warm, humid tropics, Monsoon winds bring the region heavy seasonal rains. Seas and straits separate the islands of Southeast Asia. On the mainland, five great rivers flow from the north and cut valleys to the sea. Between the valleys rise hills and mountains, making travel and communication difficult. Over time, many different peoples settled the region, so it was home to many cultures. Throughout Southeast Asia\u2019s history, the key to political power often has been control of trade routes and harbors. This is because Southeast Asia lies on the most direct sea route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Two important waterways connect the two seas: the Strait of Malacca, between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, and the Sunda Strait, between Sumatra and Java. Indian merchant ships, taking advantage of the monsoon winds, began arriving in Southeast Asia by the first century A.D. In the period that followed, Hindu and Buddhist missionaries spread their faiths to the region. In time, kingdoms arose that followed these religions and were modeled on Indian political ideas. Gradually, Indian influence shaped many aspects of the region\u2019s culture. This early Indian influence on Southeast Asia is evident today in the region\u2019s religions, languages, and art forms. Closure Question #1: How did geography influence the history and culture of Southeast Asia and Korea?", "Image XResolution": "37", "Image YResolution": "37", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Centimeter", "Image Software": "SlidePlayer", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Centered"}